Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-01-12
NORFOLK PEANUT MARKET.
A REIGN or rERRoR EXISTED.
Alleged Exfles from Msms - Ae'
count or their Political
Preeatvfsiss.
tBy telegraph 10 the Dispstch.l

WAsHrNGros. January 1.-THE petitfsu
OF stephen A. Hackworth, real estate deal
err: James l.. Moore, merchant; aud Carl
Schurtze, ex district attorney OF Washing.
Ton county; and Editor Brennan, OF The
STATS Zeifung, presented to-day by senator
Hawley, sets forth that they were law
abiding citizens OF Breuham, Washington
county, Tex, who dared to believe and
maintain The right IN be Republicans 10
politics, "For this their only crime" 10
continues, "your petitioners are now exilee
from their homes, having been compelled
to leave under serious threats OF asssssin,'
ton and abandon their property, or TO &C.
cept for IL such prices as were proherea
them.r
The petition states that at an election held
on the I'd OF last November ga perfect
reign OF terror existed In Washington
county, caused BY armed bands OF white
rnffians, who by violence and by destruc.
ton OF the ballot-boxes at Graball. Flewel-
lens, and Lofts Store election precincts pre-
vented free and fair expression OF suffrage
by the citizens OF SAID county, whereby
the men In whose interest these crimes
were committed were declared elected.
who were not IN fact elected. and by the
most shameless and unblushing frauds the
elt elton was made farce.
every effort made 10 obtain redress for
the wrongs and security for life and pro-
perty has been prevented by the wsntou
and cruel murder OF important witnesses,
and by the further fact that body vf State
troops, ostensibly ordered 10 the county 70
preserve law and order, In fact acted IN
open concert with the lawless men whe
had committed the election outrsges."
The petition further AYERS that the Re.
pubicans are in the majority IN Washing
ton county, but that In order 10 prevent
Republicans from securing their political
rights and privileges In the county Alfred
Jones, Shadrach Fielder, an d Stewart Jones,
three colored Republicans, were arrested.
upon pretended and malicious charges 81
crime, aud while In the custody OF the
civil authorities were surrendered TO the ku-
klux and hanged for the reason that the
civil authorities Of said county, together
with their leading political friends. well
knowing that satisfactory aud adequate evt-
dence would be obtained at such trial
which would expose aud make public their
political crimes, ordered and ,nstigated tho
death OF the said Alfred Jones, Shadrsch
Fielder, and stewart Jones. The petition
ers further allege that John Ireland, Gov
ernor OF Texas, has failed and refused TO
make any effort whatever 10 have arrested
and brought to trial the lswless men who
committed this outrage, although the facts
were made known TO him and he Was
earnestly requested 10 take prompt action
therein.
After further recital In more dStall Of the
charges already narrated, the petition con-
cludes .And your petitioners hereby re-
specifully submit all matters herein stated
aud complained OF to your honorable body
for your careful consideration and such &C
ton as yon may deem necessary TO cure the
evils herein stated, and thereby secure TO all
citizens Of the United States their rights uu-
der a republican form OF government In
fact az well Us In name.